Held at the TTFA Home of Football training field at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva on the afternoon of Saturday, December 1, 2018, the champion team not only won a trophy and medals, but secured an all-expenses paid trip to Chicago to witness the Gold Cup final on July 8.

This tournament with primary partners, the TTFA and the Ministry of Education, was a new invitational youth competition introduced by the Confederation. Games were played between November 10–December 8 across the four territories of Concacaf member associations, which included the Bahamas, Barbados, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago. Forty-six primary schools entered the competition with 16 teams making it to the finals.

The principal of Siparia Boys’ RC, Maria Daly-Worrell, Samantha Charles, teacher of St Brigid’s Girls’ and Carlyle Woods, former teacher of the boys’ school and coach of the team, accompanied eight students on this exciting trip.

All teams from Barbados, Bahamas, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago were housed at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Hotel and enjoyed compact, yet fun-filled days of activities and tours organised by Scotiabank Concacaf NextPlay team.

We were taken to Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Museum of Science and Industry, The Field Museum, Navy Pier, Cloud Gate, dined on the cruise ship, Spirit of Chicago, visited Soldier Field to view team training and practise, played football games with children at the CIBC Fire Pitch, and finally watched the final between Mexico and USA.

The Scotiabank/Concacaf NextPlay Gold Cup was able to positively share the passion for football with our students, providing opportunities for them to play, develop their football skills while encouraging, most importantly teamwork, leadership, and healthy competition. This was really an unforgettable experience for the students and teachers alike. To this day the students continue to share their experiences with everyone they encounter